Morocco steps up its railway industrial ambitions after InnoTrans 2026

12:20

By: Azzat Manal

Morocco steps up its railway industrial ambitions after InnoTrans 2026

Morocco is seeking to turn its expanding railway network into a stronger industrial platform, using major infrastructure investments to increase local production, develop technical expertise and attract international manufacturers. The strategy was showcased at InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin, where the National Railway Office (ONCF) presented the Kingdom’s rail development plans and explored new partnerships with international companies.

The Berlin exhibition brought together major players from the global transport industry and provided Morocco with an opportunity to highlight the scale of its railway programme. Beyond infrastructure development, the country is increasingly focusing on the industrial dimension of rail projects, with the aim of creating a domestic ecosystem covering manufacturing, maintenance, engineering and related services.

The ONCF’s development programme through 2030 includes major investments in network expansion and fleet renewal. Official documents put the organisation’s overall development programme at around 96 billion dirhams, while the acquisition of 168 new-generation trainsets represents an investment of approximately 29 billion dirhams.

The fleet programme includes 18 high-speed trains supplied by Alstom, 40 intercity trains from Spain’s CAF and 110 regional and suburban trainsets from South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem. The contracts also contain industrial compensation commitments designed to encourage the development of railway manufacturing activities in Morocco.

One of the most significant elements of the strategy is the planned creation of a local factory for the production of suburban trains. According to the ONCF, the objective is not only to serve Morocco’s growing domestic railway needs but also to build capabilities that could eventually support train exports. The programme is therefore intended to encourage the emergence of a wider network of local suppliers and specialised subcontractors.

The expansion of the high-speed rail network is another central component of the transformation. The extension of the high-speed line from Kénitra to Marrakech is being developed alongside new suburban railway services in several regions. The ONCF has said the projects are designed to increase passenger capacity, improve regional connectivity and modernise the country’s transport infrastructure.

The industrial ambitions surrounding the railway sector are also linked to Morocco’s broader experience in automotive and aerospace manufacturing. By increasing local integration in railway projects, authorities and the ONCF hope to strengthen technical skills, encourage technology transfer and create opportunities for Moroccan companies to participate in international supply chains.

International cooperation remains an important part of this strategy. The ONCF has developed relationships with major railway manufacturers and engineering companies, while discussions with foreign partners are expected to continue after the Berlin exhibition. Cooperation in areas such as railway engineering, maintenance, digitalisation and predictive maintenance could help Morocco expand its technical capabilities as the network becomes more complex.

Environmental and technological considerations are also becoming increasingly important. The ONCF has been developing initiatives aimed at reducing resource consumption and improving the sustainability of railway operations, while digital technologies and predictive maintenance are gaining importance across the sector. These developments form part of a broader effort to make the railway system more efficient as passenger traffic and infrastructure capacity expand.

Morocco’s railway strategy is also being shaped by the country’s preparations for major international events and by the need to improve connections between its main economic centres. The development of high-speed and regional rail services is expected to support mobility while strengthening links between major cities and industrial areas.

The next phase will depend on how effectively infrastructure investment can be translated into sustainable industrial capacity. With 168 new trains, the Kénitra-Marrakech high-speed extension and plans for local manufacturing, Morocco is positioning its railway sector as more than a transport infrastructure project. The objective is increasingly to build an integrated industrial ecosystem capable of supplying, maintaining and eventually exporting railway equipment from Morocco.